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The Life of Dylan Thomas Trivia Quiz

Is Dylan Thomas the greatest British poet of all time? Hopefully this quiz will encourage you to read his work and decide for yourself!

A multiple-choice quiz by bluebuddhist. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
bluebuddhist

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
197,224

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
360

Last 3 plays: Guest 103 (8/10), Guest 103 (4/10), Guest 45 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In which city was Dylan Thomas born? Hint

Bristol

Swansea

Cardiff

Newport

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was Dylan Thomas' middle name? Hint

Montgomery

Marlon

Marlais

Michael

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was the occupation of Dylan's father? Hint

Teacher

Wheelwright

Doctor

Shipyard Worker

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Question 4 of 10

4. For which newspaper did Dylan Thomas briefly work after leaving school? Hint

South Wales Evening Post

Abergavenny Chronicle

Cardiff Evening Gazette

Bristol Argus

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the name of Dylan's wife? Hint

Caitlin Macnamara

Kitty McShane

Kathleen Flaherty

Carmel O'Donnell

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Question 6 of 10

6. When Dylan was living in Laugharne (pronounced Larne) on the south coast of Wales, what was the name of his favourite drinking establishment? Hint

The Black Lion

The Prince of Wales

The Bluebell

Brown's Hotel

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Question 7 of 10

7. On 4 April 1940, Dylan published a book of short stories called 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young ________'. What word is missing from the title? Hint

Genius

Man

Dog

Layabout

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Question 8 of 10

8. Perhaps Thomas' most celebrated work was 'Under Milk Wood'. Its subtitle was 'A Play for _______'. Complete the title. Hint

Voices

All Ages

Today

Ordinary Folk

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which two actors have both played the role of 'First Voice' in 'Under Milk Wood'? Hint

Charles Laughton and James Robertson Justice

Richard Burton and Sir Anthony Hopkins

James Mason and Donald Pleasence

Ewan McGregor and Griff Rhys Jones

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Question 10 of 10

10. In which city did Dylan die, aged just thirty-nine, in 1953? Hint

Manchester

London

New York

Adelaide

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 19 2024 : Guest 103: 8/10
Nov 19 2024 : Guest 103: 4/10
Nov 09 2024 : Guest 45: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In which city was Dylan Thomas born?

Answer: Swansea

Dylan Thomas was born here in West Glamorgan, Wales, on 27 October 1914, at the beginning of the First World War.

2. What was Dylan Thomas' middle name?

Answer: Marlais

The name Marlais means 'Voice of the Sea'. This is extremely apt, as the sea was to be a recurring theme throughout much of his work, particularly so in 'Under Milk Wood'.

3. What was the occupation of Dylan's father?

Answer: Teacher

D.J.Thomas was Senior English Master at Swansea Grammar School.

4. For which newspaper did Dylan Thomas briefly work after leaving school?

Answer: South Wales Evening Post

He was a junior reporter from August 1931 until December 1932. Many of the characters that he met on his assignments reappeared in various guises in his work!

5. What was the name of Dylan's wife?

Answer: Caitlin Macnamara

Caitlin Macnamara was born in Hammersmith, London on December 8 1913. Of Irish descent, she and Dylan were married on 11 July 1937 and had three children; Llewelyn, Aeronwy and Colum.

6. When Dylan was living in Laugharne (pronounced Larne) on the south coast of Wales, what was the name of his favourite drinking establishment?

Answer: Brown's Hotel

Dylan and Caitlin lived in Laugharne between May 1938 and July 1940. In the mornings, Dylan would go off to Brown's Hotel. In the afternoon he would write, then in the evening he would return to Brown's to be joined later by Caitlin for more drinking.

The Bluebell and The Black Lion are public houses they frequented in New Quay, where they lived between September 1944 and the summer of 1945.

7. On 4 April 1940, Dylan published a book of short stories called 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young ________'. What word is missing from the title?

Answer: Dog

This book was published twenty-four years after 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' by James Joyce, which inspired the title.

8. Perhaps Thomas' most celebrated work was 'Under Milk Wood'. Its subtitle was 'A Play for _______'. Complete the title.

Answer: Voices

'Under Milk Wood' was indeed a 'Play for Voices' as it was commissioned by the BBC as a radio play, and broadcast posthumously on 25 January 1954. It had previously been performed on stage in New York on 14 May 1953.

9. Which two actors have both played the role of 'First Voice' in 'Under Milk Wood'?

Answer: Richard Burton and Sir Anthony Hopkins

Burton and Hopkins were both from South Wales, born in or near Port Talbot in 1925 and 1937 respectively.

10. In which city did Dylan die, aged just thirty-nine, in 1953?

Answer: New York

Dylan died in St Vincent's Hospital New York on 9 November 1953, after collapsing on November 5. He was undertaking a lecture tour of the USA at the time. Caitlin arrived at the hospital shortly before his death, and afterwards had to be restrained in a straightjacket. She was institutionalised for a while after this. The cause of death was recorded as 'alcoholic poisoning'.

Source: Author bluebuddhist

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor fringe before going online.
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